The Heights Merchants Association has announced the winners for the 2014 Hats Off Day Parade. The annual event includes awards for the best and most creative entries.
"All of the category winners showed their creativity with this year's totally awesome '80s theme," said Isabel Kolic, executive director of the Heights Merchants Association.
Congrats to the McGill library branch, which pulled in three awards: Best Overall Entry, Most Creative Entry and Best Community/Cultural Group.
The library branch decorated a van and book carts in 1980s style, and some staff wore sandwich boards decorated as children's books from the same era. Some were also sporting oversized, glittery Elton John style novelty sunglasses, according to librarian Lise Kreps.
The Heights Vancity branch won for Most Imaginative Merchant, while the Burnaby Hospital Foundation won for Best Theme. Winners were treated to refreshments and food at a special ceremony at Vancity recently.
Summer barbecues
The Burnaby Neighbourhood House is hosting the annual summer barbecue series in July.
The barbecues are in the evenings at local elementary schools, and there will be face painting, crafts and games. It's a chance to get out and meet your neighbours, which is what the Burnaby Neighbourhood House is all about.
All of the barbecues run from 6 to 7:30 p.m., and $1 will buy you a hotdog (chicken or veggie) chips and a drink. (Check the sidebar for times and locations.)
The neighbourhood house is also hosting its annual street party on July 31, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The party marks the organization's departure from the southern location, at 4845 Imperial St. to a new building close to the Metrotown SkyTrain station.
The street party will also have a barbecue, face painting, crafts and games, as well as displays and activities. The neighbourhoood house will reopen in September at the new location.
Summer barbecue schedule:
- Tuesday, July 15, Marlborough Elementary, 6060 Marlborough Ave.
- Thursday, July 17, Stride Avenue Community School, 7014 Stride Ave.
- Tuesday, July 22, Clinton Elementary, 5858 Clinton St.
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Thursday, July 24, Maywood Community School, 4567 Imperial St.
Teen reading club
Speaking of libraries, the teen summer reading club has an online twist this year. Teens can connect with each other via the Internet to review the books they're reading as part of the Burnaby Public Library's club, where members earn prizes (an IPad mini and an IPod, for example) and gift certificates. Acclaimed authors, such as Marissa Meyer and Cristin Terrill, will also be available to chat with teens participating in the program. To get involved in the summer reading club, register at any local library information desk. For more info, go to www.bpl.bc.ca/teens.
